Netflix dropping frames on Macbook Air Late 2019 (Intel processor, base model)

[B/D]

It seems to be related with the bitrate, and it only happens on 4K videos. If the bitrate goes beyond 9000kbps, the fans go up and the picture stutter, dropping frames.

Using Safari and the latest stable release of Mac OS Monterey.

It doesnt seem to be a hardware issue, because 4K HDR content on the Apple TV app, which has a higher bitrate, plays completely fluid and the fans stay silent. Any ideas?.

 

[Sheepish-Lord]

Have you tried a browser that runs on Chromium? I've had terrible video web playback in Safari on Monterey and using a Chromium browser works for me.

 

[B/D]

Have you tried a browser that runs on Chromium? I've had terrible video web playback in Safari on Monterey and using a Chromium browser works for me.

But those are limited to 720p on Netflix. Safari allows up to 4K HDR. No?

 

[Sheepish-Lord]

But those are limited to 720p on Netflix. Safari allows up to 4K HDR. No?

Not in my experience. A chromium based browser like Chrome or Edge is more compatible than Safari.

 

[chrfr]

It seems to be related with the bitrate, and it only happens on 4K videos. If the bitrate goes beyond 9000kbps, the fans go up and the picture stutter, dropping frames.

Using Safari and the latest stable release of Mac OS Monterey.

It doesnt seem to be a hardware issue, because 4K HDR content on the Apple TV app, which has a higher bitrate, plays completely fluid and the fans stay silent. Any ideas?.

That generation of MacBook Air doesn't have efficient cooling and it's likely throttling itself to stay cool.

 

[B/D]

Not in my experience. A chromium based browser like Chrome or Edge is more compatible than Safari.

I mean, Netflix themselves said that the only way to get 1080p or higher on Windows is using Edge or the Netflix app of the Microsoft Store, and on Mac OS, for 1080p you need Safari, and for 4K, Safari and a Mac with a T2 chip.

Has this changed recently?. I´ll try Edge.

 

[jav6454]

But those are limited to 720p on Netflix. Safari allows up to 4K HDR. No?

HDR on a MBA from Intel? I am not 100% sure, but I don't think that was a thing on native display.

 

[B/D]

HDR on a MBA from Intel? I am not 100% sure, but I don't think that was a thing on native display.

@jav6454

Unfortuntely it is, and is enabled by default in the built in display. The LCD screen is not up to it, of course, and it looks awful. It can be disabled on Safari but not system wide, which I´m trying to do to enjoy Apple TV+ content in 4K SDR.

 

[jav6454]

@jav6454

Unfortuntely it is, and is enabled by default in the built in display. The LCD screen is not up to it, of course, and it looks awful. It can be disabled on Safari but not system wide, which I´m trying to do to enjoy Apple TV+ content in 4K SDR.

I didn’t know it was a thing. I can see how a display not meant for it would crap out.